Goonasagree Naidoo

An Overview of Internet Developments and their Impact on E-Government in South Africa

The usage of the internet has grown over recent years in South Africa but at a very slow rate. This is the result of several challenges facing the growth of the Internet in South Africa. These challenges are mostly related to the lack of infrastructure for the Internet, high cost of computer technology and service provider challenges. The paper provides an overview of the Internet usage and its impact on E-Government in South Africa. It examines regulatory issues pertaining to the Internet. It also examines Internet growth in the business and government sectors. In the government sector, the Cape Online Strategy, is an initiative by the provincial government of the Western Cape in SA, is an example of a global trend towards greater levels of interactivity between government and citizens. This initiative is an excellent example of how Web-based solutions can be used to deliver certain services to citizens. Another excellent example is an E-justice initiative undertaken by the Department of Justice. The initiative aims at promoting a more efficient system of Justice in SA. The paper also provides an overview of the challenges to Internet adoption in South Africa.

Municipal Employees' Perceptions of Service Delivery in Limpopo–South Africa: A Critical Need for Good Governance

Abstract Public service delivery protests in post-apatheid South Africa has come to characterize community life at the local sphere of government. Negative consequences of corruption, maladministration, mismanagement of public resources and poor service delivery, all negatively impact good governance in South Africa’s young democracy. This paper intends to investigate the perceptions of municipal employees regarding service delivery and governance at the local government level. More often in South Africa, the assessment of the perceptions of service providers regarding service delivery has received minimal attention at the local government sphere as compared to those of service recipients. This paper fills this gap through literature analysis and an empirical survey conducted among the service providers at municipalities in the Limpopo province to obtain an insight of the perceptions of critical role-players and to provide recommendations to improve service delivery at municipalities in South Africa. The study adopts both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.